State Dept. Asks for Report on Frauds in Aid to Arab Refugees

The State Department has asked the United States Embassy in Amman for a report on charges of fraudulent practices by Arabs in the administration of Arab refugee camps in Jordan.

This was learned today following charges by Senator Albert Gore of Tennessee, and Senator Gale W. McGee of Wyoming, both Democrats, in the course of their visit to the Near East. The two senators urged review of the entire U.S. aid program to Jordan.

Secretary of State Christian Herter said he had received a communication from Senators Gore and McGee reporting corruption in Arab refugee camps in Jordan, American-financed projects were involved, according to the two senators. Mr. Herter said the question pertained mainly to ration cards for Arab refugees and has to do with the United Nations.

He added that the matter had been raised in the UN and that the UN had taken it under “serious consideration.” He said it appeared that ration quotas had been “improperly applied” in distributing aid to the Arab refugees. He made known that the State of Jordan has promised the United Nations cooperation in rectifying the situation.